Rahul Gandhi's long-expected takeover of the Congress party is likely on December 4, the party indicated after a meeting of its top leaders at its chief Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath home in Delhi today (20).

The party has announced the timeline for its internal election, widely seen as a formality with leaders endorsing Rahul Gandhi's name for the top job.

The 47-year-old Congress Vice President is set to succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi and is expected to be elected unopposed like she has been for the last 17 years.

Effectively, Rahul Gandhi is likely to be elected the Congress boss before the Gujarat assembly elections, which begin on December 9, the first of two days of voting. The Gujarat results will be announced on December 18.